Athletics: Wariner out of Daegu meet

Former Olympic and world 400m champion Jeremy Wariner has been ruled out of the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, later this month with a torn toe ligament.

The 27-year-old, the third fastest 400m runner in history, tore a ligament in the second toe of his left foot while training in July, a statement on the USA Track and Field website confirmed.
The injury was diagnosed this week.
"I am disappointed that I will not be able to try to regain the world title in the 400 meters in Daegu," Wariner said in a statement posted on www.usatf.org.
"Right now my focus is to get healthy, prepare for the 2012 season and try for my second Olympic gold medal in the 400. I wish my team-mates the best in Daegu."
Wariner won the 2004 Olympic title in Athens and the world titles in 2005 and 2007.
He had to settle for silver at the 2008 Games in Beijing and the 2009 World Championships behind fellow countryman LaShawn Merritt, though.
Merritt will compete in Daegu after serving a 21-month doping ban for taking a banned steroid contained in an over-the-counter male enhancement product.
The World Championships gets under way on August 27.